Spring

A popular Creole dish, this Sausage Rougail is a tasty stew of smoked sausages with fresh ginger, onions, tomatoes, herbs and hot peppers. It yields delicious smokiness combined with spicy flavors, with all the comfort of a warming, saucy dish. A one-pot, easy family meal that’s on the table in 40 minutes, and always pleases!

Here’s to true comfort food with a French Style Macaroni Gratin! This rustic dish features macaroni pasta smothered in a rich cheesy white sauce, blanketed with salty bacon bits, breadcrumbs, an extra helping of cheese, and then baked until bubbly underneath and crispy on top. This easy dish is on the table in about 45 minutes to please the whole family.

Made with both poached as well as smoked salmon, these salmon rillettes are an easy-to-make yet elegant spread, with big flavor! They deliver a chunky texture with a rich smoky taste from the salmon, smoothness from crème fraiche and fresh citrusy notes from lemon, dill and pink peppercorns. Serve them at your next dinner party with bread and crackers!

Known as Poulet Rôti, a French Roast Chicken is an unbeatable favorite in any household to wrap up the week. In true French fashion, mine is full of garlic, herbs and lots of butter – sneaked both under and over the skin before cooking and basted with plenty more during cooking. The result is succulent flavors, juicy meat all around and a crispy golden skin.

Every bit as delicious as a pie, but with half the effort, a Galette is a rustic-looking tart that doesn’t require much time to assemble nor does it require a pie dish. It’s laid-back, forgiving and endlessly riffable, utilizing the fruits of your liking… Convinced yet?

The Classic Fruit French Tart – known as Tarte aux fruits frais – is an ultimate Summer show-stopper. It features a buttery, sweet pastry crust filled with rich pastry cream and topped with colorful fresh fruits and an apricot glaze. A refreshing yet decadent tart that’s perfect for hosting. Prepare each component ahead of time and assemble just before serving. 

3 steps, 3 ingredients and 30 minutes is all you need for this easy and delicious strawberry jam (no pectin added). This is my go-to recipe, which I love to make at the peak of strawberry season when this fruit is at its ripest. This jam is smooth, spreadable, and simply lets the strawberries shine.  A great small-batch recipe for first timers or any home cook to add to their repertoire.

Don’t throw out those radish leaves! Made from fresh, peppery radish leaves and potatoes for extra body, this Radish Leaf Soup is ever so popular in France and a Spring staple in my kitchen. It offers healthy, delicious comfort and is a great way to make do with extremely underrated radish leaves.

Popular French butter cookies, Sablés come in all forms and flavors– and these Buckwheat Sablés with Chocolate are some of my favorite ones. Nutty buckwheat flavor, the rich taste of butter and speckles of dark chocolate come together in a perfectly crisp shortbread cookie texture. These easy to make cookies are a must to try, and adopt.

If you enjoy fresh and wholesome salads, this is a great one for your repertoire. This Classic French Lentil Salad is made using earthy, healthy Puy lentils, carrots, shallots and herbs drizzled with a quick zippy Dijon vinaigrette. It is affordable, simple to make and very satisfying. A great side dish for hosting, or as a make-ahead recipe for meals on-the-go.